'Moment of darkness' ... Shock at murder of 82-year-old JP; one accused in custody

St Ann and the wider Jamaican community have reacted with shock and anger at the brutal murder of senior justice of the peace (JP), 82-year-old Colin Corrodus, at his home in Epworth in the parish on Monday night.

Four gunmen invaded the home around 8 p.m. and robbed the JP and businessman of his service pistol before shooting him dead. The gunmen also gun-butted his wife, Beverly, who was admitted to the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital on Monday night and released yesterday.

Corrodus was a businessman who operated Colvil Construction and Hardware in Great Pond, Ocho Rios, and Epworth. Reports indicate that he had lived in Great Pond for several years before moving to Epworth some time ago.

The police, in the meantime, have acted quickly and have apprehended one man in connection with the murder. Superintendent Gary Francis, who is in charge of the St Ann police, said the man was picked up on Monday.

‘TWIN EVIL OF CRIME & VIOLENCE’

Describing the shooting as a “moment of darkness”, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck said the “murder in his own home is yet another stark reminder of the urgency that confronts the people and Government of Jamaica to urgently and unrelentlessly address the twin evil of crime and violence in the country”.

Chuck said the tragic death must confirm in the minds of Jamaicans “the singular threat that is faced by every Jamaican, which is not just impeding the economic growth and the development of the country, but is also creating a blanket of fear and insecurity in our communities, places of business, and in our homes”.

The minister also expressed condolences to Corrodus’ loved ones, friends and membership of the JP fraternity.

Meanwhile, Custos of St Ann Norma Walters has described the murder as “really shocking”.

Walters said Corrodus, who is brother of Custos of St James Ewan Corrodus, was a JP since 1997 and played an integral part in the St Ann Justice of the Peace Association.

A member of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce, where Corrodus was a member and former director, while declining to offer a full statement, said of the murder: “It’s just disastrous!”

Members of the Malvern Park Pen community in Davis Town, an adjoining community to Epworth, have also weighed in on the incident.

“I am disgusted with the way how people treat humanity. The year just started and it’s a robbery and yet they had to kill him. Mi nuh like it,” one female resident told The Gleaner.

“There is also a fear in the community to know that this happened right in our backyard. Just the mere thought of it makes it scary. It’s just not right,” she said. Francis, however, is seeking to assure residents of the parish that the police are doing everything to ensure the safety of residents.

Francis, while expressing condolences to the family, described the killing as “very sad and tragic”.